2 Jun 2014

2 June 14 - Greenlands Farm

I have already had the change to write a post on Greenslands Farm (part of my Studland local patch) covering the best day I've had there, when there was a Richard's Pipit & Hoopoe present on the 24 April 2014. A couple of visits on 25 May & 2 June were more typical visits, when the conditions looked good, but it was pretty quiet. Still it gave me the chance to photograph some of the good views for this area, which didn't happen when there was a couple of rarities to distract me. On both days, sunny conditions & Southerly winds meant it was worth getting out locally around Studland. Greenlands Farm is part of the National Trust Studland estate, with the majority of the area being two large open short grassland fields. There are always some Cattle & Horses grazing over it, which helps to keep this area looking great for migrants. It's a good area to look for more open country migrants, especially Wagtails & Pipits, Wheatears, Whinchats & Thrushes. There are also some good smaller fields to view from the main track, which are worth looking for migrant Warblers. But these fields are private & should not be entered. Another great area to check is the forest edge where Greenslands Farm borders the adjacent Rempstone estate.
Greenlands Farm: Looking South over the open fields, with Godlingston Heath in the background and the chalk Corfe ridge behind
Greenlands Farm Cattle: These cows help to keep the area grazed. Sometimes they are moved onto the Heathland edge on Godlingston Heath
Greenlands Farm Cattle: These Cattle are pretty docile animals
Greenlands Farm Horses: It's always worth checking the area the Cattle & Horses are feeding, as they attract Pied Wagtails & Yellow Wagtails during the migration periods
The trees which form the border with the Rempstone estate are always worth a check for migrants
Cuckoo: Males are frequently heard calling especially from the neighbouring Rempstone estate, but they are less commonly seen. This is the nominate canorus subspecies
Green Woodpecker: It would be surprising to walk around Greenlands Farm & not hear or see a Green Woodpecker
Stonechat: Great to see a female with 4 lively offspring
Treecreeper: A family photo tick
Treecreeper: This is the britannica subspecies which occurs in the UK & Ireland
Southern Marsh Orchid: I need to rephotograph this as one of the key features is the leaf shape and markings